Former President Trump\u2019s endorsement for the new House speaker failed on Wednesday when the GOP picked House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., as their nominee for top House lawmaker.<\/p>\n
Trump endorsed House Judiciary Committee chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, to be the new House speaker last week, which many expected could push Jordan over the finish line.<\/p>\n
Jordan received a lot of public support and endorsements from his House colleagues, but any expectations that he would cruise to the nomination over Scalise were dashed on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Scalise took the nomination over Jordan in a secret ballot, drawing questions about the strength of the former president\u2019s endorsement.<\/p>\n
Democrat Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota \u2014 a moderate member \u2014 told Fox News Digital on Wednesday that he thinks \u2018on the surface\u2019 the pick of Scalise over Jordan \u2018seems like a pretty clear repudiation of Trump, and a fairly public one.\u2019<\/p>\n
Phillips said he thinks \u2018supporters of Mr. Scalise would probably have to think twice about [that] before they actually make that vote for reasons\u2019 that people would \u2018understand.\u2019<\/p>\n
Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, seemed to dismiss the idea that Scalise\u2019s victory was a repudiation of Trump\u2019s endorsement.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2018Well, you got some people in the conference that obviously have some issues with Donald Trump,\u2019 Nehls told reporters after the GOP conference. \u2018But I would probably say to those in the Republican conference that have problems with Donald Trump, get over yourself, because Donald Trump is the leader of our party. Make no mistake.\u2019<\/p>\n
When pressed on what it means that Trump\u2019s preferred candidate failed to win a majority of the GOP votes, Nehls said: \u2018But he also got 99 votes. Jim Jordan did get 99. That\u2019s a significant number.\u2019<\/p>\n
Trump\u2019s campaign did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital\u2019s request for comment.<\/p>\n
Since the nomination, Jordan said he plans to vote for Scalise for speaker and is even expected to give a nominating speech on the House floor whenever a vote is held.<\/p>\n
Jordan has also been encouraging his supporters to back Scalise once the nomination hits the House floor for a vote.<\/p>\n
Some Republicans, including Reps. Chip Roy and Marjorie Taylor Greene have said they will not vote for Scalise.<\/p>\n
The news comes as Republicans look to mint a new House speaker after former Speaker Kevin McCarthy\u2019s historic ouster last week.<\/p>\n
McCarthy has since backed Scalise, his former number two, for the speakership.<\/p>\n
Fox News\u2019s Elizabeth Elkind and Kelly Phares contributed reporting.<\/p>\n